“I want an officer for a secret and dangerous mission.
I want a West Point football player.”
~ General George C. Marshall ~
As the canon fired on Friday evening, August 30, 2019, so to began the 129th season of Army football.
Expectations are high this season with preseason polls showing the team sitting just outside the Top 25 in college rankings. Considering West Point epitomizes the definition of student/athlete (with a military obligation) this is quite an accomplishment. Time will tell how things play out, but the Black Knights are looking for another successful season.
A brief refresher…
The banks of the Hudson River have been hosting football games since since 1890 when on a cool, crisp New York morning, Navy challenged the Cadets (as they were known at the time) to a football game. The Midshipman won the first get together at West Point, but Army quickly revenged the loss the following year in Annapolis. The two schools continue to play every year in what is the last regular season Division I game of the year and often referred to as “America’s Game.”
Attending an Army football game is more than just a game, it’s a history lesson. Statues of George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglass MacArthur and George Patton stand tall on campus and patriotically remind everyone of our nations history.
Rumor has it General Patton wasn’t the best of students and admits to ‘having difficulty finding the library’. In jest of his academic prowess, his statue is firmly grounded in front of the old Cadet Library poetically holding a pair of binoculars in his hands.
Army vs Rice 2019
“On Brave Old Army Team…”
A few additional football facts…
The black, grey & gold uniforms are derived from the colors of gunpowder… charcoal, potassium nitrate and sulfur.
Army has had three Heisman Trophy winners… Doc Blanchard (1945), Glenn Davis (1946) and Pete Dawkins (1958).
Every game day jersey (home or away) is outfitted with a divisional patch representing an active Army division honoring the brave men & women who serve our nation around the world.
The game day ball is delivered by the Golden Knights Skydiving Team.
A march on takes place whereby a full regiment of Cadets take the field and lead the crowd in a traditional cheer called The Rocket.
